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Poole & East Dorset Art Society -Celebrating 90 years-
Newsletter, September 2014
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“The next lot is a Dennis Hill entitled ‘Dorset Cottage’ – Who will start me off at two million?”
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POOLE AND EAST DORSET
ART SOCIETY
NEWSLETTER: SEPTEMBER 2014 Editor’s Notes:
Welcome to your PEDAS September newsletter - where we reflect on a sensational summer in
this very special year for our club - with exhibitions, celebrations and summer days out painting!
Also, there’s plenty of information about forthcoming activities, outings, previews and reviews.
We hope you find it stimulating!
Most importantly, the PEDAS Newsletter invites news and views from members - it would be really
great to hear a new voice. We want to hear about your ideas, exhibitions you have seen, outings
etc – so come on, please - make a note of them and share your thoughts with us.
Email me... [email protected] Next deadline date: 28 October
Sally
Front Cover: Jeneta’s acrylic painting ’Rocks and Pebbles’ recalls the lingering serenity of a
sun filled summer.
Cartoons: By Barry
Notes from the Chair:
So here we are, nearly at the end of another wonderful summer. As I write we have one more day
of painting out based at Furzebrook Village Hall. We’ve had quite a few different or unusual
venues for our painting this year (I’m thinking particularly of the bowling club a few weeks ago on
what must have been one of the hottest days of the summer – I’m sure I wasn’t the only one to
finish the day with a swim in the sea!). Thanks to Pam for arranging all these as well as the lovely
harbour cruise. We were lucky to have a very calm evening which enabled us to go out into the
open sea to get a fascinating look at Old Harry from a rather different viewpoint. Following an
excellent fish’n’chips supper the evening was rounded off by the fireworks display that was
missing from our anniversary dinner in July.
Talking of which, those of you who were there for that lovely evening will remember the illustrated
talk by Jeremy Gardiner. I’m pleased to tell you that we are arranging a visit to his exhibition in
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Bath in February. I will be fascinated to see his actual work as well as having a day out
somewhere a little different from our usual trips. You will find more details about that elsewhere in
the newsletter as well as information about an autumn London trip.
I hope all those of you with internet access have been enjoying our new website
(www.pedas.org.uk). Dave Hendrey has revitalised the website that Clare so ably ran for us
previously and you will see all sorts of new information and opportunities for members’ input.
Finally, this is the time of year when we would like to invite all members to consider whether they
would like to have more input in the running of PEDAS. We anticipate having a couple of
vacancies on the committee next year so do please contact a committee member if you feel you
are able to contribute to your club. Committee meetings only take place every other month.
Val
Committee News:
July/August 2014
Much of last month’s meeting was taken up with guest visits from Roger Brewer, manager at
Upton Country Park, and from Dave Hendrey, our new webmaster. But more of those later.
How would you like to receive your Newsletter ?
Last month we sent out a small survey asking how you feel about receiving the newsletter
electronically. Thirty-five of you decided to give it a try with the July newsletter and it was well
received. It lightened the delivery load and kept the costs down. People particularly liked the
colour photographs. By now you will have been asked again if you would like to go electronic and
this newsletter should have reached you in the way you chose. Rest assured that the newsletter
will still be available in print for those who want it.
Future Exhibitions:
PEDAS Autumn Exhibition (1–21 October 2014) was discussed in more detail and Pam has written all the information you need in a separate article in the Newsletter.
Due to pressure from exhibitors and the squeeze from the downtime caused by the heating
project, it is with regret we decided that we could not fit in a Peacock OPEN in 2015. Any
strong feelings about that should be made to a Committee member.
Outings:
A trip to London has been arranged by Carole Gadsby for October and it was suggested we go to
Bath in early 2015 to see the exhibition by Jeremy Gardiner, the speaker at our 90 th birthday dinner. See details elsewhere in this Newsletter.
Changes on the Committees:
Following Clare Hadley’s decision to step down from Committees last month, both Sally Wimpress
and Dorothy Fox have announced that they will not be continuing in their roles. So we have
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three vacancies to fill on Committee, when we meet for the AGM in February 2015. The
Committee wishes to thank all 3 of them for their valuable contribution to running the club.
When we began looking for a new Treasurer for the Gallery, Joy Gow quickly stepped up to take it
on. There is every possibility that she’ll join the Committees too. However that still leaves two
places to fill. So if anyone out there is itching to be on the Committee, now’s the time to talk to
someone about it. Ring someone on the Committee, give us an email or talk to one of us at a
PEDAS event.
A new Webmaster:
Our new webmaster, Dave Hendrey attended the last Committee meeting and took us through the
intricacies of the new websites. We strongly advise that you go to the websites and give it a try.
There are lots of levels of information that you can look at and you can link between them and to
other sites. There is a feature on artist profiles and Dave is looking for new ones to add. So if you
have a profile ready, pass it on to Dave or get on with preparing one. Contact him on
We were so fascinated and excited by it we asked if he would come to the AGM to tell more
members about the new facilities.
Will there be a panto this year?
Oh no there won’t! It’s John’s turn to run a panto and he left the Committee meeting to give it
some thought. He has thought and he thinks ‘no’. So, no panto this Christmas. However, John is
going to organise a party with games, dancing etc, like we had a couple of years ago. So if
anyone would like to join a party making team with John, get in touch with him as soon as
possible. Anyone has any good ideas for arty party games, let John know.
The Gallery Upstairs News:
Roger Brewer, the manager of Upton Country Park attended the last meeting to give us his view of
the future of the Park and the role of the Gallery. UCP has seen a steady increase in visitor
numbers and the Park is expanding onto land to north and west around the farm. More
investment is planned for the restaurant/Tea Rooms; the new gates at the courtyard entrance will
enable the introduction of better furniture and greater use of that area; and with toilets now in
control of UCP, there are plans to make significant changes to the toilets in the courtyard.
Parking is proposed to stay free and safety away from the car park is a major consideration;
vehicle access to the Gallery will be restricted from 11 to 4; access will be allowed for loading in
works area and a separate access has been introduced.
In the Walled Garden, it is proposed to introduce a new sign board with information about the Tea
Rooms and the Gallery Upstairs, including clip frame for display of the gallery exhibition. Roger
sees the exhibition space as an integral part of the future of UCP and is aware of Member support.
RB would like to get art out there more; eg sculpture in the border.
Underfloor heating work is ongoing and still aiming for Dec2014/Jan 2015 for work on site at
gallery. Roger requires Tea Rooms to be open for Feb half term at the latest.
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Committee Member contacts:
Val Taylor (Chair) Liz Magee
[email protected] [email protected]
623529 721423
Mary Smolaga (Treasurer) Caroline Robertson
[email protected] [email protected]
761936 881179
Sally Holland Dorothy Fox
sallyportraits @hotmail.com [email protected]
775304 731839
Pam Philip John Biggs
[email protected] [email protected]
887826 770338
Plus Gallery Upstairs Management team: Barry Kavanagh 678676
__oOo__
The ART of the 2 JBs
at The Gallery Upstairs
Two members of Poole and East Dorset
Art Society,
John Britton and John Biggs,
come together to put on
an exciting exhibition
of their vibrant & varied work at
The Gallery Upstairs,
from 5th to 15th September 2014.
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PEDAS AUTUMN 2014 THURSDAY PROGRAMME
We meet at St. Aldhelm’s Academy, Herbert Avenue, Poole, BH12 4HS
7-9pm. £3 per session and £5 for visitors.
BMOYC- Bring materials of your choice.
Please try to arrive a little before 7pm so we can make a prompt start.
Sept.4th: Painting outside at Studland.
Sept. 11th: Bring work done during summer days out or on your holidays-sketches/finished
work/ideas etc. Also bring work you wish to finish/titivate as we don’t know how much work will be
brought for viewing!
Sept. 18th: Oil pastels - bring your oil pastels, support and reference.
Sept. 25th: Weaving with Carol Cox - more info. to follow.
Oct. 2nd: Batik demonstration by Deborah Vallance.
Oct. 9th: Anita Hawkins will lead a workshop session on
Giorgio Morandi.
BMOYC and any uncomplicated pots you may have for a
still life.
Oct. 16th: Second session with Carol Cox on weaving.
Oct. 23rd: Life drawing with Paul Stillwell as model.
Oct. 30th: Illustrated talk by Ronnie Ireland on Lucien Freud and Francis Bacon.
Nov. 6th: Pam Philip will lead a session making wall plaques for cup hooks.
Bring acrylic or oil paint - equipment will be provided.
Nov. 13th:Second session with Pam completing last week’s work.
Nov. 20th: Life drawing - tutored, details to follow.
Nov. 27th: Penny Wilton with collographs!! - come and find out.
Dec. 4th: Drawing hands and feet - BMOYC
Dec. 11th: Party time.
Happy Christmas!
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Spring Coach Trip to Bath
We all very much enjoyed the talk that Jeremy Gardiner gave at our 90th Anniversary Dinner. He
is a modern British artist, born in Purbeck and educated at the University of Newcastle upon Tyne
and the Royal College of Art. http://www.jeremygardiner.co.uk/
We plan to arrange a visit to the Art Gallery and BATH on Wednesday 18 February 2015
The booking form will be in the November Newsletter, just giving you an advanced Diary Date.
Victoria Art Gallery, Bath - Jurassic Coast - 17 January - 1 March 2015
This exhibition features the celebrated Jurassic Coast seen through the eyes of landscape artist
Jeremy Gardiner, who lives in Bath and is well known for his unique portrayal of the British coastline.
Gardiner has borrowed real specimens of fossils from the area - ammonites, plesiosaurs, brittle stars and plant-like forms called crinoids – all of which occur in the artwork. Also included is an
accurate 3D map displaying the locations that inspired the pictures. The exhibition links two UNESCO World Heritage sites, the Jurassic Coast and Bath, with the aim
of inspiring visitors to explore another World Heritage site just an hour’s drive away. The Jurassic Coast is a 95-mile long stretch of coastline running from Orcombe Point in East Devon to Old
Harry Rocks in East Dorset. Its geology spans the Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous periods, 185 million years of earth's history.
The pictures and monoprints span 20 years and reflect a unique relationship with this rich and exceptional site. In an attempt to emulate the effects of geological time, his working method
involves scouring, building up layers of paint, collaging and sanding down. Carole Gadsby
Clavell Tower, Kimmeridge by Jeremy Gardiner
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CAROLINE’S CREATIVE SUNDAYS 7th September 2014 – Annie Campbell Demo/workshop with pastels
‘In response to colour, shapes and atmosphere’
Annie trained in Fine Art painting at Watford and Leicester Colleges of Art; she is also a Licentiate of Trinity College London. Her paintings are a response to the shapes, music, colour and
atmosphere of a land and seascape near to which she lives.
Annie uses a variety of different chalk pastels, from soft to Caran D’ache and pencil pastels and charcoal. She also works on a mixture of surfaces from water colour paper and Ingres through to painted or printed surfaces. Annie says that the colour palette, type of pastel and paper she
chooses is dictated (often subconsciously) by the subject matter and location. http://www.swanagesands.co.uk/uss/anniecampbell/index.html
5th October 2014 – David Westhead
Talk on the EY Exhibition: Late Turner – Painting Set Free
Tate Britain Exhibition 10 September 2014 to 25 January 2015
This is the first exhibition devoted to the extraordinary work J.M.W.Turner created between 1835 and his death in 1851. Bringing together spectacular works from the UK and abroad, this
exhibition celebrates Turner’s astonishing creative flowering in these later years when he produced many of his finest pictures but was also controversial and unjustly misunderstood.
By taking a fresh look at Turner’s late works, the
exhibition sheds new light on his life and art, challenging the
assumptions and interpretations that have grown around his later work and
shows his exploration of technological and scientific
developments of modern life. http://www.tate.org.uk/whats-on/tate-britain/exhibition/ey-exhibition-late-turner-painting-set-
free
2nd November 2014 –
Alison Board, Workshop –‘ Love of the Countryside’
Alison is a mixed media artist who experiments with a wide variety of materials to express her love
of colour and texture. Based in North Dorset she uses the surroundings of her studio as a constant source of inspiration in both her own work and in her classes.
The workshop will be based on seed heads/natural forms so members are welcome to bring actual subjects or photographs, whichever you prefer. http://www.alisoncboard-fineart.co.uk/
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Glorious, Glorious Summer
A review of PEDAS’ Summer Days out Painting
We really couldn’t have wished for a better summer. The day of our first venue was lovely and hot,
Manor Farm at Hampreston. This is now fast becoming an old favourite. People found inspiration
in the delightful gardens, surrounding countryside, church and farm buildings. It was all very
pleasant indeed. A good day well spent!
Less popular, however, was the second venue, Whitecliff. This was an evening event and much
less well attended - sadly, only two people turned up. These occasional evening events are
arranged for those who can’t attend the full day sessions because they work during the day.
The following venue was Upton Country Park. This was the day we were setting up Dennis’
exhibition at the gallery there, and this also turned out to be another beautiful day. The flower
borders, trees, harbour & reed beds…..it’s been the inspiration for many paintings by PEDAS
members in the past, and will continue to do so.
The following week, another beautiful day and another splendid location: Worth Matravers
Village Hall. This day out was described as “brilliant, a top venue”. It was gorgeously hot and lots
of people turned out. Dave Hendrey has put some of the pictures people painted on the website.
The duck pond, the Square and Compass, and the surrounding Purbecks - all provided a wealth of
subject matter.
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Unfortunately, we weren’t able to go to Cranborne Manor. We were, of course, very disappointed
not to go - but happily we all met at Durleston Country Park instead where the sea and cliffs
provided more wonderful painting opportunities, and it was another glorious day!
The Argyll Bowls Club was a new venue, suggested by Anita and Pam Hardeman. This location
gave us extensive views of the sea, looking towards the Isle of Wight and across to Old Harry
Rocks, or for closer subjects there were the subtropical gardens of Alum Chine. Again, this was a
very hot and thoroughly enjoyable day. Apparently, our hosts were delighted to have us there &
even want us back! The money collected went to their military benevolent fund. Certainly one to
return to.
Stanpit Village Hall is an old favourite with the club - another lovely, hot day and a lot of members
there, painting water, trees & boats.
The following Thursday we visited The Old School, Sturminster Marshal, and again, more lovely
hot weather. There was a church, cottages, river, orchards. This was recommended by Pam
Hardeman who made the initial enquiries for us - a fantastic venue and definitely one to repeat.
Next was an evening venue at Canford School, Canford Magna. Uh! The weather let us down -
a complete wash-out.
The Harbour Cruise provided another highlight in the summer schedule. Over 60 people came.
We enjoyed fish and chips on board. The very hot weather was over, really - it wasn’t cold - but
mild. Though the sea was slightly choppy the boat took us to Old Harry where were able to enjoy
the rocks from a side not often seen. Fireworks, as always, greeted our return.
At the last minute, Furzebrook Hall replaced Church Knowle Village Hall as our final location
(because of building work). But it turned out to be a very successful venue and a good painting
spot. 14 people attended. There were superb opportunities to paint the heath – something a bit
wilder than the usual scenes. The weather was a little blustery, but there was a cosy hall for
shelter and Pam Philip, as always provided us with coffee, tea and biscuits. Thanks Pam, you did
brilliantly in organising all this!
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THE BIZ FROM LIZ – (What’s on)
THE GALLERY UPSTAIRS, UPTON COUNTRY PARK
(Daily 10.30 till 4, 10.30 till 4.30 at weekends until end September)) 5 – 15 September: “The Art of the 2 JBs” Paintings by John Biggs and John Britton
18 – 29 September: “Perception” presented by Jaio Art 3 – 20 October: PEDAS AUTUMN EXHIBITION 23 Oct – 3 Nov: “Pots and Paint” Dolphin Studio Workshop
and East Dorset Potters (for more info on these see www.thegalleryupstairs.org.uk
LIGHTHOUSE, POOLE (Open Tuesdays to Saturdays, 11 am to 11 pm
CAFÉ GALLERY: 6 September to 11 October: Contemporary oil paintings by Stephen Bishop
RUSSELL COTES (Open Tuesdays to Sundays, 10 am to 5 pm) Admission charge until end September
Until 28 September:“The DeMorgans and the Sea” William DeMorgan’s stunning arts and crafts ceramics and Evelyn’s magnificent symbolist paintings.
15 July – 19 October: Selling exhibition “A WINDY DAY AT THE PIER” Prints by Liz Sommerville
SOUTHAMPTON CITY ART GALLERY Mondays to Fridays 10 till3, Saturdays 10 – 5
28 June – 1 November “FROM DAVID BOMBERG TO PAULA REGO” Work by past and present members of The London Group..
ST. BARBE MUSEUM, LYMINGTON Mondays to Saturdays 10 – 4. Admission charge
Until 20 September: Linocuts of the Grosvenor School of Modern Art – Inspirational Prints from the 1930s. 27 September – 8 November: “Nocturnal Encounters”: Wood engravings by Colin See-Paynton
of a family of Hares and other creatures.
DURLSTON CASTLE, FINE FOUNDATION GALLERY Daily 11 – 4, entry free. September 13 – October 5 “Mapping the Coast” – Art exhibition celebrating our relationship with
maps. Antonia Phillips and Cathy Veale explore the intricacies of our coast through paint and printmaking.
INSIDE OUT – DORSET: 12TH TO 28TH SEPTEMBER
Unique out door free festival bringing together incredible artistic work combined with inspiring Dorset locations, including Poole Park, Studland Village and the Ridgeway. For full information go
to www.insideoutdorset or pick up a brochure from libraries etc. 12th/13th September 8pm in Poole Park (approx 50 mins) “BOO” – Aerial acrobats let loose on 15 metre high bamboo structure
13th/14th September 12 – 6 pm: Studland village “Up in the Air”: circus events take over the village.
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Art In Action at Waterperry Gardens, Oxford
Review of the PEDAS outing, by Carole Gadsby
Art in Action is held in the beautiful grounds of Waterperry House and Gardens in Oxfordshire. It
was inspired by the simple principle that people are fascinated when artists and craftsmen openly demonstrate their skills and discuss their work. Approximately 25,000 visitors came to this yearly event over 4 days to learn, buy and enjoy exhibitions, classes and performances of 400
demonstrating artists, teachers, musicians and performers.
Sally W had insider information that we must be prepared, because the day before, some of the areas were very wet
and muddy. So wellies and wet weather gear at the ready, we left Whitecliff at 7:30 am in the morning in order to arrive when it opened at 10 am. We need not have worried
everything had dried out and we enjoyed a wonderful day of sunshine.
The first marquee we met was for 'artists' and I
have to say I was a little disappointed as not so many artists were demonstrating as in previous
years. However there was some wonderful work displayed and the artists were more than happy to chat about their work.
The glass-blowing was good entertainment and
attracted a large crowd throughout the day. It was possible to try your hand at pottery making and
sculpture if you felt inclined. There was lots of jewellery on display, most at extortionate prices along with pottery, china and glassware. The best exhibit for me was 'Best of the Best' tent which had one item of work from everyone who exhibited,
some of the work in here was truly exceptional. The two photographs are from that tent. Unfortunately I cannot remember the name of the artist who painted these 2 pictures.
I love the gardens, the borders of which boast of being the widest herbaceous borders in any
cottage garden, wonderfully laid out with a wide variety of plants from all over the world; also rows of fruit trees in the grounds with apples and pears almost ready to pick.
Did anyone go through the Garden Centre and on to the Amphitheatre to watch some of the
performances? They offered us water as we went in and cushions to sit on, not quite Covent Garden but quite entertaining.
As we ambled around in and out of tents we bumped into our friends enjoying ice-cream, pizza, a glass of wine or just having a coffee. It was a very pleasant but tiring day.
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Review of our 90th Anniversary Celebrations
PEDAS 90th Anniversary Dinner
Poole’s sleepy, cerulean waters glistened in the evening sun. The view from The Thistle Hotel
provided the perfect setting for our club’s nonagenarian celebrations. As members and guests
arrived, Yvonne’s husband, Rod played guitar and sang while we all chatted and perused the
evening’s seating plan, complimentary drinks in hand.
John Bowen said grace and once again we were reminded of the familiar names: Gribble, Lamb
and so on. We raised our glasses in toast – to ninety years of PEDAS!
PEDAS’s ninetieth anniversary treat
was a three course dinner. Members’
meals had been subsidised by the club;
the evening’s arrangements thoroughly
planned months beforehand by John
Biggs with Val’s assistance. Val, as
Chair, addressed the room. She talked
of artists such as Philip Wilson Steer
and Augustus John, who, in their
heyday had sought inspiration in the
land and seascapes that lie around us
now, albeit somewhat changed in form.
The first PEDAS exhibition was held in
August 1924.
Val commented on the longevity of the Poole & East Dorset Art Society and how this stems from
the club's inclusiveness and diversity. “On a personal note,” she added, "quite apart from the
actual doing of the art, the friendship and bigheartedness I have found in PEDAS, have made this
one of the most fulfilling times of my life. I do feel truly lucky and blessed to be part of such a
wonderful organisation".
She also confirmed the £3,820 raised for Julia's House through Dennis’ recent exhibition, and said
that PEDAS would be rounding this up to an impressive £4,000.
The evening culminated with the guest speaker, Jeremy Gardiner, who talked us through slides
of his work, giving a fascinating insight into his images. Images that not only conjure an identifiable
landscape but also suggest scraped and scored rock - the surface abstracted, fragmented and the
constituent parts carefully arranged. His work, inspired by the geology and erosion of the Dorset
coast, embraces a timescale of 185 million years - thus throwing our mere 90 into a completely
new perspective!
(See elsewhere in this newsletter info on trip to Bath to see Jeremy’s work).
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‘Dennis Hill: a Retrospective’
Dennis didn’t seem daunted in the slightest. We initially approached him in June last year to see if
he’d be interested in the idea of a retrospective to celebrate his 90th. From the outset, he
embraced the idea wholeheartedly and before long we heard he was beavering away on new work
for the show!
The logistics were a challenge, but that didn’t deter Dennis. It
was he who made the arrangements with many of the people
who lent their paintings. There were well over 200 paintings in
the show, 59 of which were stored in Dennis’s house. These
paintings he labelled, mirror-plated, numbered and listed for
us. On the handing-in day, these 59 quite large, framed,
mostly glazed pictures had to be transported very carefully
from Dennis’s house to the gallery before 10 o’ clock, by Liz,
Pat and Dennis.
Luckily, PEDAS has a lot of experience in
putting on exhibitions, but the works for
sale had to be kept separate from those
on loan, and those on loan had to be
identified, and wall-labels typed crediting
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lenders, and so on.
As well as celebrating Dennis' 90th we wanted to mark the Society's own beginnings too, with
paintings by certain past members. These were borrowed from the museum, the college or private
owners. John Biggs liaised with the museum and the college. We borrowed a Gribble and an early
Dennis Hill from the museum; an Arthur Andrews from the College; a large Lister from Dennis; a
second, smaller Lister from Liz; a John Bowen from…John Bowen.
At the launch, the exhibition was opened by John. We were
apprehensive about the numbers that might turn up to the launch
- the gallery floor is supposed to hold only 100 people. We
exceeded that slightly! Yes, someone was counting! John
opened the exhibition and spoke very movingly about Dennis,
having known him for so many years. Lucy very kindly baked a
birthday cake big enough for everyone to have a slice –
decorated in icing sugar with an ornate figure of Dennis painting
by a stream. See photos.
Once the show was open, the new work for sale virtually flew off
the walls, with all the proceeds going, at Dennis’s request, to
Julia's House.
Watercolours form the main body of Dennis’s work and this is the medium he is most recognized
for, having been a regular exhibitor at the Royal Watercolour Society for many years. There were,
however, also many oils and acrylics on show at the exhibition too, and in recent years he has
been exploring larger abstract pieces which have proved as popular as his figurative work.
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Poole Museum kindly lent us this
painting by Dennis: ‘High Tide at
Sterte’ in which a lonely Poole
Power Station stands against a
buttery sky. Subtle tonal
judgements make this painting
work. The building is rendered in
very simplified blocks of tone, its
broken reflection on the flat plane
of water. The sleeping hull of an
abandoned boat in the foreground
plots the darkest accent. The paint
is applied with a palette knife to
create an impasto surface, with
some coloured ground left showing.
This painting demonstrates the
selective nature and focused
simplicity of Dennis’s work.
It was Dennis’ idea to hold an auction on the last day of the exhibition in order to raise as much as
possible for the charity. Barry made an excellent auctioneer while Mary kept tabs on the money.
£2,600 came from exhibition sales and £1,220 from the auction. After that, PEDAS rounded the
takings up to £4,000. The collection box took another £74.78 for the charity.
We’re all very grateful to Dennis. In this special year for PEDAS, he rose to the challenge and
gave us a wonderful exhibition. Someone later observed: “It was good for PEDAS; good for
Julia’s House and good, we’re sure, for Dennis”.
Message from Dennis
“I would like to thank all you kind people who let me borrow your paintings and for bringing them to
the gallery for my exhibition. A very big thank you to PEDAS for giving me the opportunity to do
this and the encouragement they gave me in allaying my fears of failure.
The committee took all the load in mounting the paintings and stewarding the exhibition and for
this I was particularly grateful. Thanks to Liz and Pat for helping with the transport to and from the
gallery; without their help it would have been difficult to say the least. A special thank you to Sally
for all the work and organisational skill she gave so generously and the encouragement she gave
me.
Also, last but not least, a very large thank you to John for opening the exhibition so splendidly, and
the kind words he said.
Huge thanks, and lots of love to all.” Dennis
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The History of PEDAS display, part of Dennis’ Retrospective, was made up of brief biographies of
some of the club’s interesting personalities and concentrates on their links to Poole. People have
asked for it to be reproduced here:
A History of PEDAS
It all started in 1924. Well, a little before that, actually…
Many artists, shaken by the trauma of war and possibly wishing to find a new perspective on life,
chose to recuperate in the quieter corners of the country.
HENRY LAMB MC RA(1883–1960)
Henry Lamb was one such artist; he had been badly gassed on the Western Front shortly before
the Armistice. He settled in the pleasant, but impoverished, fishing port of Poole, possibly wishing
to be near his friends Augustus and Dorelia John.
Between 1922 and 1928, Lamb lived in a 3-storey Georgian house in Hill Street, between Dear
Hay Lane and Poole High Street, approximately where the multi-storey car park now stands. He
kept a sailing boat in Poole harbour, and also owned a small car in which he travelled to the
outlying villages to paint.
Henry Lamb was one of the founding members of the Poole & East Dorset Art Society,
contributing three paintings to the first PEDAS exhibition in 1924. Some thirteen years before this
he had been involved in the Camden Town Group and then the London Group.
He knew Virginia Woolf and was particularly close to Vanessa Bell. He knew Gilbert and Stanley
Spencer, inviting them on several occasions to stay with him in his house in Hill Street.
His paintings of the streets of Old Poole are instantly recognizable. He tended toward narrative
topics depicting the activity in the town in a literal rather than analytical way. The simple geometry
in the roof tops appealed to him, also the busy figures bustling past the broad expanses of brown
warehousing. He was very successful as a portrait artist; his most striking portrait being that of
Lytton Strachey, painted before the war. Strachey was another Bloomsbury Group visitor to Poole.
Henry Lamb eventually moved away from Poole when he married Lady Pansy Pakenham in 1928.
He is widely represented in the Tate and many other art galleries, universities and provincial
museums, including Poole.
AUGUSTUS JOHN RA, OM (1878-1961)
When he settled in Dorset in 1910, Augustus John plunged whole-heartedly into the bohemian
lifestyle. Living in Alderney Manor, on Ringwood Road, Parkstone with his wife and several
children, he proceeded to turn the place into a romantic commune, inviting ‘everybody who was
somebody’ to stay. Henry Lamb, the Bloomsbury group, the Spencers; they all came and camped
in the colourful gypsy caravans that dotted the 60 acre heath that in those days surrounded the
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manor. Augustus John would paint small, but colourful, pochade panels in response to the
landscape around him - including Canford Heath. These were usually preparations for larger
works.
Famous for going off on romantic interludes, he nevertheless remained in Poole long enough to
help set up the Poole and East Dorset Art Society, and contributed two paintings to the 1924
exhibition. While in Poole The Sea View pub and the Lord Nelson were two of his favourite
haunts. A small, blue plaque on the quay commemorates these visits.
Through the decades this flamboyant, charismatic character acquired a reputation as the most
sought after society portrait artist of his day.
BERNARD F GRIBBLE RBC SMA (1872 - 1962)
The longevity of the Poole and East Dorset Art Society stems from its inclusiveness & diversity.
Bernard Gribble was a very different character from the bohemian Augustus John and Henry
Lamb. While they had a penchant for gold earrings, Gribble, formal in countenance and dress,
wore white spats over his boots!
He exhibited with PEDAS in 1929 whilst, according to our catalogues, still living in London. By
1932, however, he had moved to Springfield Crescent, Parkstone where he was to become a
prominent local resident and a leading member of PEDAS. He served for many years as a popular
and sociable Chairman and vice-President of our Society.
Gribble was 60 by the time he moved to Poole and was already well known as a painter of
historical, sometimes romanticized, maritime themes. A regular exhibitor at the Royal Academy
and at the Paris Salon, his paintings were widely sought. His large oil paintings were collected by
Rooseveldt, George V and later, Jackie Onassis.
Early 2014 saw Poole Museum stage an exhibition of his maritime paintings. They have
generously agreed to lend us ‘A Smokescreen, Naval Engagement’ which illustrates his
characteristic concern for detail, drama and in this case the dirt of war.
Bernard Gribble is buried with his wife in Parkstone Cemetery, Poole.
SIR GERALD KELLY KCVO PPRA (1879 – 1972)
Sir Gerald Kelly served for three decades as President of the Poole and East Dorset Art Society
- from 1934 to 1964 - but his reputation spread far beyond the boundaries of Poole. He was also
President of the Royal Academy from 1949 to 1954.
He had been educated at Eton College and Trinity Hall, Cambridge before going on to study Art in
Paris. He enjoyed a reputation as a prominent academic painter and was official portrait artist to
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the Royal Family. He received numerous accolades in a long and distinguished career and was
knighted in 1945.
Sir Gerald lived in London but travelled widely to paint in exotic and interesting places, still finding
time, however, to exhibit on innumerable occasions with our Society here in Poole.
ARTHUR ANDREWS, ARCA, FRSA., NRD (1906 – 1966)
Arthur Andrews is warmly remembered by PEDAS members for initiating ‘The College Art
Collection’. As Principal of the College he secured funding, at a time of great austerity, for the
purchase of artworks for the benefit of both students and the local community.
The artworks purchased included work by Henry Moore, Ivon Hitchens, and Jacob Epstein. As
time went by the Collection was gradually added to until it held works by many of the major British
artists of the mid-20th century. The grants for these purchases continued until Arthur’s death in
1966.
As the need arose to house the Collection, members of PEDAS raised a considerable sum
towards the realization of The Study Gallery, which opened formally in 2000.
The Arts and Education were always Arthur’s main concern while his own specialism was in
commercial & industrial design. Our catalogues show that in 1948 he served on the Poole and
East Dorset Art Society Organising Committee and occasionally took part in the exhibitions.
The Bournemouth & Poole College has kindly agreed to lend us his painting ‘Montmartre’
which was donated to the College by his widow, Sushila Singh. Our Society has always had close
links with the College. Many lecturers and students from the Poole College of Art, as it previously
was, became key members of our
Society.
EDWARD D’ARCY LISTER
ARCA (1911–1976)
The lively woodcuts that decorate
the PEDAS exhibition catalogues
of the 1950s, 60s and 70s are the
work of Edward Lister.
He taught at the local Art School
having studied under Gilbert
Spencer at the Royal College of
Art. The paintings and collages
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Edward produced are bold and distinctive, usually exciting interpretations of the character and
rhythm of a landscape.
Dennis remembers Edward as an inspiring artist and teacher, as well as someone with a great
sense of humour. He recalls an incident when Edward was standing in the gallery by his painting:
‘A Dorset Coast’ wishing to find a light for his cigarette. He turned to his picture, spotted a small
piece of sandpaper amongst the collage – and promptly struck his match upon it!
Sometime in the 1960s Edward Lister became President of PEDAS, until his early death in 1976.
When Edward died PEDAS bought and presented ‘A Dorset Coast’ to the Art Centre. When the
Centre was refurbished this wonderful picture was thrown into a skip, but fortunately rescued by
Brian Tofield and is now being looked after by Dennis, who has loaned it to us for this exhibition.
DENNIS HILL(b. 1924)
Dennis recalls his early years:
“My mother said that when I was seven, I used to draw faces in the condensed steam on the tram
windows in Sheffield. Could this have been the start of my intense interest in art?
At this time I started reading avidly any book or magazine on painting I could lay my hands on.
I came across the magazine called The Studio which must have been the forerunner of The Artist.
I continued drawing and I was quite prolific until courtship, career and the war slowed me down.
It was later that I went to evening classes for life drawing and met Edward Lister, who taught me
to paint and to ‘see’. He opened my eyes and became a great influence on my development”.
Dennis paints in watercolour, oils and acrylic, but is perhaps best known for his watercolours. He
has had work exhibited at: The Royal Institute of Painters in Watercolour (RI) at the Mall
(uninterrupted over 20 years); The Royal West of England Academy (RWA) Bristol; The Royal
Society of Marine Artists (RSMA) London and The Royal Society of Watercolour Artists (RWS),
Bankside.
His work has been bought and held by: Poole Maritime Museum, Royal Ordinance Survey,
Dorset County Council, British Petroleum, Russell Cotes Art Gallery and Museum, Bournemouth
and Longleat House, Wiltshire. He has had solo exhibitions at ‘The Gallery’, Dorchester; the ‘Peter
Hedley Gallery’ and the ‘Acanthus Gallery’, both at Wareham.
JOHN BOWEN N.D.D., Cert.RAS.(b.1940)
President of the Poole and East Dorset Art Society
“In 1980, when I arrived in Poole, The Poole and East Dorset Art Society and the Art Section, to
which I had been appointed, at The Bournemouth and Poole College of Further Education, were
both at a low ebb. PEDAS was finding it hard to reconcile its reputation with its need for new
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members and the Art Section at The College had been consigned to one studio some distance
from the main site. The College’s significant Art Collection languished in a store cupboard with a
few exceptional pieces on display.
When, in the early 80’s, I was asked to be President of PEDAS, and with Peter Hardwick in the
chair, the society began to develop a more inclusive approach to new members. Sometime later it
attracted a group of mature ‘A’ level art students attending the growing number of courses at the
College. Over many years the drive and tireless enthusiasm of these, and others who have joined
them, has sustained and grown PEDAS into what it is today.”
As Artist
“Born in 1940 and educated at Magdalen College School, High Wycombe School of Art, The Byam
Shaw School of Drawing and Painting and The Royal Academy Schools, I practiced as a portrait
painter for several successful years. My work was exhibited at the Royal Academy, The Royal
Scottish Academy, The Royal Society of Portrait Painters and others.
I came to Poole in 1980 from Langley College of Further Education where I had been teaching
classes in Portraiture, Life Drawing, Ceramics, Screen Printing, Drawing and Painting.
It may have been my training and exhibiting which qualified me for the rather grandly titled post of
Lecturer in Charge of Fine Art Studies! However, it was the responsibility for the College Art
Collection which gave this post a special appeal to me. The educational value of the Collection
led to a sustained effort by many to have a gallery built, known initially as The Study Gallery.
The Collection is now dispersed. The gallery used for other purposes.”
Sources: PEDAS Exhibition Catalogues since 1924; ‘Art in Dorset’ by Peter Davies published by Poole
Historical Trust; ‘The College Art Collection & The Study Gallery Poole’ by Roy S Hall
. --o0o--
LONDON COACH TRIP Wednesday 15 October 2014
We are pleased to announce our next London trip will be a general one where everyone can do their own thing. There are various exhibitions available around and below are some web
addresses for easy reference. www.royalacademy.org.uk
www.nationalgalleries.org.uk www.tate.org.uk
www.vam.ac.uk Presently Sea View cannot let me know where they can stop but I am suggesting we stop once
outside the V&A and again near the Royal Academy. However only ONE pickup at the end of the day. If anyone has any suggestions or requests, please let me know and I will look into them.
Carole Gadsby [email protected]
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London Galleries Coach Trip
Wednesday 15 October 2014 £20.00
8:30 Pick up Whitecliff 8:45 Pick up Texaco Garage next to ASDA Bournemouth Departing London at 5:30 pm Cheque by Friday 26 September 2014 payable to PEDAS sent to:
Carole Gadsby (Mrs) ‘The Garden House’ 22a Cavendish Road Dean Park Bournemouth
BH1 1RF Any queries please telephone on: 01202 316074, text 07894 791927 or email [email protected]
London Galleries Wednesday 15 October 2014
Name: Address:
Post Code:
Tel No:
Mobile No:
Email:
Please Reserve me: ................................ tickets for the London Galleries Coach trip
Pick Up: Poole ............................................... Bournemouth ……..............................................
I enclose cash/cheque for
.....................................................................................................
What's on in London?
Tate Britain: Turner Collection
Tate Modern: LOTS OF free DISPLAYS
Royal Academy: Anselm Kiefer
National Gallery: John Byrne - Sitting Ducks
Check out websites for more information
Check out websites for more information
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INVITATION FROM CADARTS
We would like to invite you to participate in the CADArts PERFORMERS FESTIVAL on Saturday 11th October 2014.
This is an opportunity for groups of musicians with acoustic instruments to perform at Forest Arts, New Milton and receive feedback from
an adjudicator. Acoustic string groups of any description, including guitars, ukuleles, harps
and cellos and others are welcome. Woodwind groups including recorders, percussion groups as well as hand-bell
ringers and piano accordions are also welcome. This is an opportunity for groups to
play in public and meet members of other music groups. Some participants will be invited to play in venues around Christchurch
during the next 12 months.
Janet Townend
Director
Message from Barry
Have you lost a camera? One has been found in the Gallery. If you have, please see Barry.
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BRIAN’S BOX
What a wonderful summer! A diverse programme of painting
in town and deep countryside: Worth Matravers; the Argyll
Bowls Club and Sturminster Marshall, were just three of my
favourites. It really couldn’t get any better…and then it did!
Two 90th anniversaries: one for PEDAS and one for our own
DENNIS HILL. You choose which is the most important. But
for me - being greedy - I’m going for both because whichever
way round, you get a top artist and a top art club. DENNIS
had a wonderful exhibition, full of beautiful watercolours and
acrylics and such a range of subjects - and I just loved his
abstract works - the “best in show” (that’s my verdict). After
so many years, he just gets better!
Suddenly, it’s July 10th, our big DINNER DATE, and what an evening we had! The meal was
superb and both VAL and JOHN BOWEN spoke very movingly of our 90 years and of the many
famous members who set up PEDAS and joined in over the years. We also enjoyed a talk by our
special guest JEREMY GARDINER, a well-known artist who makes such striking works from his
experiences of walking the Purbecks and many other places, both near and far.
We round off Pam’s painting days out programme with the Harbour Cruise – simply the icing on
the cake! With relaxed, good company it was a perfect way to end the summer. It is a privilege to
live in or around POOLE. So now it’s “Thanks PAM”, and in a short while “Welcome PAT”, as we
start our next Thursday evening workshops which I am sure will be just as busy, entertaining and
instructive as ever. And we still have CAROLINE’S CREATIVE SUNDAYS - again, so varied and
interesting where there is always something new to learn and put to good use in our own works.
Finally, on a recent visit to BOURNEMOUTH HOSPITAL to see a friend, I spotted a watercolour
painting on the corridor wall – yes, you’ve guessed it - a DENNIS HILL work! Well done, good
friend.
Best Wishes, Brian
Brenda Troman
It is with much sadness that we announce the recent death of dear friend and member Brenda
Troman. Brenda was an inspiration to many of us with her forward looking attitude to art, always
experimenting and when given a project to do, Brenda loved to research and discover new ways
of working. She was a kind and generous friend, it was always a pleasure to be in her company
and she was a loyal supporter of Pedas, coming to many of our events and taking part in all the
exhibitions. Lately when she was frustrated by her failing sight, Brenda produced beauti ful fabric
pictures which were always the first thing to be snapped up by buyers. She will be much missed
and we offer our sympathy to her family.
Liz Magee
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PEDAS AUTUMN EXHIBITION – 3rd
– 20th OCTOBER 2014
This is your invitation to submit work for the PEDAS Autumn Exhibition which will be held at the Gallery Upstairs from Friday 3rd October to Monday 20th October 2014.
* Submission date is Wednesday 1st October from 10.30 am to 12.30 pm.
* You may submit up to two works in total from the following: paintings, drawings, textiles, photographs, (i.e 2-dimensional works) AND up to two 3-dimensional works
* There is NO theme for the exhibition.
* All 2-dimensional works (with the exception of textile wall hangings) must be suitably framed, or on unframed canvas, and must be fitted with mirror plates half way down.
* All frames and mounts must be of good quality and in a sound and clean condition. Work will be
rejected if they are not. * 3-dimensional works must be freestanding or capable of being hung from the cross beams. On
the grounds of safety all 3D work must be either light in weight or very stable and not capable of being pushed over. The Committee is responsible for risk assessing work and rejecting if not
suitable. * The cost of entering will be £5.00 for each piece of work. Commission at 10% will be payable.
* All work to be labelled on the back with name, title, medium and price, and on a stringed label to hang down over the front for cataloguing.
* You may submit cards of your own work, properly presented with envelopes and in cellophane.
Up to 20, each priced and with your name clearly written on the card. * There will be a folder containing CV’s of artists, about themselves, and their work. Please
provide on A4 sheet if you wish to be included. Don’t forget to add contact details to your CV if you wish to be contacted by prospective buyers.
* For this exhibition we are accepting artwork for browsers. You may submit up to TWO pieces of
work suitably mounted and in cellophane, and clearly labelled with title, name, medium and price and the minimum price for each work is £20. Commission will be 10% but there will be no entry
fee and any work sold may be replaced. Browsers will be provided. There is no additional
security for work placed in the browsers and PEDAS will not accept responsibility for any work that may go missing .Only members who have submitted framed work for the exhibition may take advantage of putting work in the browsers.
* All artists must be prepared to steward for at least 2 half day periods, so please don’t forget
your diaries when bringing in work. * This year we will hold a Launch Party on Saturday 4 th October from 11.00 am -12.30.
* Collection of work on Tuesday 21st October, 10.30am to 12.30 pm.
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ENTRY FORM
PEDAS AUTUMN EXHIBITION 3rd – 20th OCTOBER 2014
PLEASE COMPLETE THIS FORM AND BRING IT WITH YOUR WORK ON WEDNESDAY 1ST OCTOBER. CHEQUES MADE PAYABLE TO PEDAS.
THANK YOU.
NAME……………………………………………..PHONE NO…………………………………….…
2-DIMENSIONAL WORK TITLE MEDIUM PRICE
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
3-DIMENSIONAL WORK
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________ WORK IN BROWSERS
__________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________
PAID…………………..…………Stewarding List Signed…………………………………….……